Canon 85mm 1.2L mk1 v Canon 85 1.2L mk2

10/13/2009 05:58:33 PM · #1

OK, really wanting this lens now but can't find the mk2 version for any `realistic` price, however I have found I can pick up a brand new (although discontinued stock) version of the mk1 for around Â£1000 - bar the focussing speed, is there any real difference between the two? Is there Â£400 difference to be found between the two.

zxaar

10/13/2009 06:04:29 PM · #2

Originally posted by Simms:

this is my impression but i could be wrong so do a bit of research about it.

1. there is a 85mm f1.2 lense in canon film mount too, it does not do autofocus. It is my my impression that both new lenses are same design. So only difference i could think is coatings in two versions.

2. about focus, it is always difficult on f1.2 lenses, but many people complain about focus issues on canon's f1.2 lenses at close distances. So in a way difference in focusing speed might not matter in the end.

(but please do more research on it, i might be wrong or misinformed).

Tez

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/13/2009 10:27:36 PM · #3

my dear Mr Simms,

see here:

1.2 mkII vs 1.2 mkI vs 1.8

to cut a long story short the mkII focuses faster and flares less than the mk1. The 1.8 focuses the fastest due to it being lighter and with less glass to move.

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

10/13/2009 11:18:00 PM · #4

I'd kill for a 1.2 Nikon version.

ben4345

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/14/2009 04:30:53 AM · #5

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I'd kill for a 1.2 Nikon version.

As nice a 1.2 would be, I wouldn't be able to find a use for it. *shrugs*

10/14/2009 05:20:25 AM · #6

Originally posted by Tez:

Cheers Tez, but was looking for a comparison between the 85 1.2 mark 1 and the 85 1.2 mark 2.

:P

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

10/14/2009 05:40:27 AM · #7

Originally posted by Simms:

Mk I v Mk II

Can't you see the difference? One is Mk I and the other is Mk II. You'll be a whole Mk behind.

You have already answered your own question - according to your own research, a Mk is worth about Â£400, so it's obviously worth spending Â£400 more if you get an extra Mk for your money.

10/14/2009 07:41:15 AM · #8

Originally posted by Matthew:

Originally posted by Simms:
OK, really wanting this lens now but can't find the mk2 version for any `realistic` price, however I have found I can pick up a brand new (although discontinued stock) version of the mk1 for around Â£1000 - bar the focussing speed, is there any real difference between the two? Is there Â£400 difference to be found between the two.

Mk I v Mk II

Can't you see the difference? One is Mk I and the other is Mk II. You'll be a whole Mk behind.

You have already answered your own question - according to your own research, a Mk is worth about Â£400, so it's obviously worth spending Â£400 more if you get an extra Mk for your money.

Makes sense.. thanks for your help.. ;)

ps - when did you become a daddy then???!?

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

10/14/2009 08:51:04 AM · #9

Originally posted by Simms:

Makes sense.. thanks for your help.. ;)

ps - when did you become a daddy then???!?

About the same time as I stopped taking photos of things other than my daughter (hence few challenge entries) - a whole year ago!

Tez

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

10/14/2009 12:39:51 PM · #10

Simms,

The link I posted does compare the Mk1 and the Mk2. There's MTF charts, bokeh comparisons and a conclusion saying the focus is faster and the flare better controlled on the Mk2. Also, it is slightly sharper then the Mk1.

But, it's a few hundred dollars more cashola. You can find them used for about $1600 all over Fred Miranda though.

10/15/2009 03:08:33 PM · #11

Pocket well and truly burnt!

I went for the MK2 - found one used for Â£1120 - bargain!

Hopefully picking it up tomorrow.

For sale - Canon 85mm 1.8

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

10/15/2009 03:32:17 PM · #12

Originally posted by Simms:

For sale - Canon 85mm 1.8

How much?

Zigomar

Fujifilm X100T

Lensbaby 2.0

10/15/2009 04:01:10 PM · #13

Originally posted by Simms:

For sale - Canon 85mm 1.8

How much?

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

10/15/2009 04:14:29 PM · #14

Will let you know tomorrow once I have the other one on my camera - muwahahahahahahahahah

MAK

Leica CL

10/15/2009 04:50:23 PM · #15

Simmo, congrats mate, I have tried them both and the mk2 focuses faster yes, better on flare yes if you shoot into direct light but sharper? nahhh they are the same in that department as long as the tog knows how to shoot at f1.2

10/15/2009 04:50:39 PM · #16

Originally posted by Tez:

My mistake Tez.. cheers for that mate.

robshookphoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

10/15/2009 06:02:11 PM · #17

the 85mm f/1.2 focuses signifigantly slower than the f/1.8. As far as I can tell, this is not because of optics size (the 400mm f/2.8 focuses lightning fast) but rather because Canon prefers exact focus to fast focus when the aperture is that low. The same is true for the 50mm f/1.2. Spectacular lenses, but you absolutly will notice the slow (albeit precise) autofocus.

zxaar

10/15/2009 07:26:08 PM · #18

Originally posted by robshookphoto:

some people say it is because of DOF at f1.2, but i am not sure how much different dof is for f1.8 and f1.2 for 85mm lense.

ps
I check at 10meters indeed difference is significant.

10/16/2009 03:33:01 AM · #19

Originally posted by MAK:

nahhh they are the same in that department as long as the tog knows how to shoot at f1.2

Thats me buggered then!!

I'll practice..

10/17/2009 09:59:19 AM · #20

OK, one of my first shots with it.

First impressions - damn its heavy - have bad back injury at the moment so could only hold it for a minute or two (even on the 5D).

Secondly - f1.2 at 85mm is one shallow depth of field.. Holy moley, I see what

MAK meant when he says you need to know how to use it.. shooting at 1.2 you really cant afford to recompose after focussing your shot as you will throw it out of focus.

Thirdly - Slower AF than other lenses - although not quite as bad as some of the other forums/reviews I read made it out to be. It is slow, but seems very accurate, wouldn't attempt to use it for sports or anything as I think you would be on a hiding to nowehere.

Finally - sharp as nails in the sweet spot - and the colour, contrast and overall IQ is outstanding, as in that wonderful dreamy Bokeh.

I am really looking forward to using this in anger at some point.

Attached a example shot. This has not been played with at all other than resizing it by 50% (I think you can click on the `view at fullsize` to see more detail on it) Shot with 5D at 1/50 f1.2 ISO640 in large JPG mode.

zxaar

10/17/2009 10:44:02 AM · #21

Originally posted by Simms:

OK, one of my first shots with it.

First impressions - damn its heavy - have bad back injury at the moment so could only hold it for a minute or two (even on the 5D).

this is why i like pentax version of 50mm f1.2, it looks like baby compared to canon's version of f1.2 (50mm). Canon version resemples a large bowl for soup.

Originally posted by Simms:

Secondly - f1.2 at 85mm is one shallow depth of field.. Holy moley, I see what MAK meant when he says you need to know how to use it.. shooting at 1.2 you really cant afford to recompose after focussing your shot as you will throw it out of focus.

it takes practice and patiance. :-D

Originally posted by Simms:

Thirdly - Slower AF than other lenses - although not quite as bad as some of the other forums/reviews I read made it out to be. It is slow, but seems very accurate, wouldn't attempt to use it for sports or anything as I think you would be on a hiding to nowehere.

Finally - sharp as nails in the sweet spot - and the colour, contrast and overall IQ is outstanding, as in that wonderful dreamy Bokeh.

I am really looking forward to using this in anger at some point.

Attached a example shot. This has not been played with at all other than resizing it by 50% (I think you can click on the `view at fullsize` to see more detail on it) Shot with 5D at 1/50 f1.2 ISO640 in large JPG mode.

you will enjoy the lense, try it with manual focus and your most of complains would go away.

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

10/17/2009 12:30:32 PM · #22

The recomposing wide open can screw you. It's good that you know that right up front...

Nikon 85mm 1.4

Very similar lenses both of which are legendary. Have fun

10/17/2009 01:27:13 PM · #23

Originally posted by pawdrix:

The recomposing wide open can screw you. It's good that you know that right up front...

Nikon 85mm 1.4

Very similar lenses

Not really.. mines faster.. :P

pawdrix